They will say it was only Sweden, they will say England were indebted to goalkeeper Jordan Pickford with three quite brilliant saves, they will even say the nations in the other half of the quarter-final draw will all have won this tie comfortably but, frankly, who cares? Who really cares? England are in the semi-final of the World Cup, where they will face Croatia who saw off the World Cup hosts Russia on penalties, and they deserve it. How they deserve it. They are in the last four for the first time since 1990, for 28 long years and only the third time ever, and the dreams, the hopes, the euphoria will rise and rise and rise even further until they play again in Moscow on Wednesday.

The unlikely reconnection is complete and the summer of 2018 will rank alongside those of 1990 and 1996, when semi-finals were reached, and maybe it has surpassed them already given how low expectation was and how high disenchantment had become in recent years and tournaments. A corner has been turned which, given the number of goals scored from corners, is pretty apt.

But can they go all the way? Can they bring it home as they did 52 years ago? England keep getting told they will have to play better but there are now only four countries who can be crowned world champions and they are one of them.

At the final whistle Three Lions played and then, as a jubilant Gareth Southgate pumped the air in front of the England fans, there was The Beatles and “All You Need is Love”. And there is so much to love about this new England.

Gareth Southgate acknowledges the fans after the final whistleCredit:
FIFA

From Southgate to captain Harry Kane and throughout the squad with their own individual stories and their superbly coached approach and their never ending team-work and desire to play for England and do so in the right way. Like brothers, Kane said, and the band of brothers are heading for Moscow for at least one more game and maybe two with the final in the Russian capital on July 15.

The goals were scored by Harry Maguire and Dele Alli and both were well-worked thumping headers and those two also have wonderful stories to tell. But they were not alone in standing tall. There was John Stones, now a leader in defence, there was Jordan Henderson, controlling midfield, and there was Raheem Sterling who may have missed a golden chance but who stretched the Swedes when all they wanted to do was stay compact and grind this out to a closer finish. And there was Kieran Trippier, who is a kind of English Cafu with a David Beckham delivery.

It was never going to be a classic. But it was a classic. The classic was what it meant and what it means the length and breadth of the country but even out here in Russia the sense of excitement can be felt. And a sense of fun both on and off the pitch. As the clock ticked down England actually looked like they were enjoying it and there were grins as wide as the nearby River Volga as they consoled the Swedes and acknowledged their own relentless supporters.

England were the better team here by some distance and deserved the victory although there was little of the drama and tension of the penalty shoot-out win over Colombia in the last-16. That, in itself, was another sign of progress. Sweden may be limited, effectively a team of spoilers with players from Hull City, Krasnador and Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates but they beat France and finished above Holland in qualifying, they defeated Italy in the play-off and they knocked out Germany in the group stages. That record speaks for itself.

So they were tough opponents and set out exactly what that meant at kick-off when they lined their players up on the left-hand side of the pitch and had no-one down the right. It was like a rugby union match and the ball was launched in that direction with Sweden trying to slow it down, sit deep and draw any pace they could out of England’s approach.

In a goalless opening half hour it was hard work. England seemed nervous but finally profited from the familiarity of a corner routine - the eighth set-piece in fact from which they have scored at the World Cup. It came from a rare moment when they quickened the pace to earn that opportunity.

Ashley Young swung the corner in and the ‘love train’ - of players lining up behind each other to stop themselves being blocked off - broke to create space for Maguire who proved too strong for his marker, Emil Forsberg. A meaty header nestled in the net with no Swedish defender covering the post. Maguire had his first England goal and how they needed that.

Before half-time it should have been two but Sterling wasted a clear chance after being picked out by Henderson with a long ball forward which was nimbly taken down only for goalkeeper Robin Olsen to get a hand to it as he attempted to round him. Even then it fell to Sterling although instead of teeing up Kane he decided to shoot with the ball deflected over by Andreas Granqvist.

The fear was England would pay the price but Pickford made the first of his hat-trick of saves as Sweden finally responded when Marcus Berg met a cross, above Young, and the goalkeeper dived to his left to push the header out one-handed. It proved so important. Soon after, Trippier checked and played the ball inside to Jesse Lingard who crossed deep. Alli, whose place had been under threat, drifted away from Emil Krafth and planted a firm header over the hands of Olsen.

Game over? Not quite. Pickford excelled again with another one-handed save to deny Viktor Claesson after he was set up by Berg with a smart flick into his path. Even then Henderson threw himself to block the follow-up and, finally, Pickford tipped over a powerful rising shot on the turn from Berg to gain his first clean sheet and the first for England in a World Cup quarter-final. Another small record. And now a bigger one awaits.

All you need to know about Croatia

What is their World Cup record?

Twenty years ago Croatia reached the last four with a brilliant team including the likes of Davor Suker, Zvonomir Boban and Slaven Bilic. They knocked Germany out in the last eight before losing to France in the semi-finals, but since then they have struggled - until this year. Group Stage exits in 2002, 2006 and 2014 were split by a failure to qualify in 2010 but this Croatian side is the best since those days of the late 90s.

What’s their history with England?

England have generally had the upper hand - with one obvious exception. Steve McClaren’s reign as manager was brought to an end by a 3-2 defeat to Croatia at Wembley that ended England’s hopes of qualifying for the 2008 European Championships, but apart from that the Three Lions’ record is good. They have met once previously in tournament football, when Wayne Rooney scored twice in a 4-2 win at Euro 2004, and Theo Walcott claimed a hat-trick in a 4-1 win in Zagreb in 2008.

Steve McClaren’s reign as manager was brought to an end by a 3-2 defeat to Croatia at WembleyCredit:
Reuters

How do they play?

In Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic, Croatia have arguably the best central midfield in the competition. Everything flows through them, but Mario Mandzukic is an excellent frontman and Dejan Lovren has enjoyed a fine tournament at the back. Keep an eye out, too, for Ivan Perisic, a man Jose Mourinho desperately wanted to bring to Manchester United last summer and one who has yet to fully catch fire at this tournament.

What is their form like?

Croatia were arguably the best side in the Group Stages, with their 3-0 win over Argentina certainly the finest individual performance, while they comfortably beat Nigeria and still won against Iceland despite resting a number of key players. But they have been less impressive in the knockout stages, requiring penalties to beat both Denmark and the hosts, Russia.

The boys from Barnsley and Leeds have done good

In less than two years, Southgate has transformed so many things about the England team and he has never wavered in the value he sees in the young English players, like him, who fought their way up through the academies of less celebrated clubs. As his team eased into the last four of the world, with a goal from one Sheffield lad, and another from Milton Keynes, Southgate was far too polite to claim his vindication.

He did not need to: the monumental achievements of his team speak for themselves, the quiet dedication of this splendid set of young English footballers is really self evident. A World Cup semi-final is uncharted waters for all of those who have watched England over the years and when a Brazilian journalist later demanded to know “the secrets of the Southgate revolution” it was safe to say that too was a first.

If you cannot enjoy being an England fan now then you never will

Whenever there is an outbreak of unrestrained, unhindered and uninhibited pride in the exploits of our national team, there tends to be a counter movement, which sneers and chastise those who have allowed emotions to take over. That is their loss.

Like the person who goes to a night club and stands, sipping water, assessing the rhythmic ability of those on the dancefloor rather than jumping into the middle of it and joining in, they are so determined to remain detached they forget to enjoy themselves.

But if you cannot enjoy this, then you must ask yourself what is the point?

Southgate applauding the fans

Who will England play in the semi-final?

It's hard to say who Southgate would prefer out of those two teams. Croatia are by far the better team but Russia have home advantage, which has proven to be incredibly valuable so far. Kick off for that one is at 7pm but you can follow the build-up and action with Ben Coles right now.

He's a classy guy

Southgate currently insisting on passing on the credit to his players, his staff, his players' families, the squad's three stand-by players, Alex Ox-Chamberlain and Joe Hart's save against Slovenia in qualifying

Pep Guardiola is managing in Spain in 2010. Spain wins the World Cup.Pep Guardiola is managing in Germany in 2014. Germany wins the World Cup.Pep Guardiola is managing in England in 2018. _________ wins the World Cup.

The army's getting involved

In a good way. I realise that that sentence in a context related to Russia isn't really something you want.

It’s coming home.

The Bands of the Guards Division played a special rendition of Three Lions on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace ahead of England’s World Cup quarter-final showdown with Sweden. #ENGSWEpic.twitter.com/ftgDSwzPcX

England players celebrate in the stands with friends and family

Are England actually quite good?

It's hard to tell isn't it? Sweden didn't even get close to them there and we're speaking out a team who knocked Germany out of the competition.

For me it's all about the preparation. Southgate prepares for everything like an actual proper manager, the kind of thing you hear someone like Pep Guardiola has done and think 'ahhh he's a genius'. Southgate is treating this England team as though it's an elite group of footballers and not just a good bunch of English lads who need to stick and get the job done - everything has been done to ensure they can perform.

Credit:
GETTY IMAGES

The shape works, the system makes sense and the players are performing well but the biggest win of all seems to be how Southgate treats the psychological side of the game. As one of the most famous penalty missers of all time, he's definitely been through some hard times in his professional career but having confronted those memories and learning from them, taking advice from experts and instilling a sense of pride and enthusiasm in the players, he's just getting so much from them.

The set pieces thing is unbelievable. It seems so simple, like when you hear a guy from school has made some little plastic thing that makes sandwiches stay fresh (my brain's a bit cross-wired from typing for four hours but let's go with it) and you see it and think 'my god, that's so obvious'. Craft beer. That's a better one. You start making delicious craft beer in your garage and a few years later you own BrewDog. It seems so obvious now!

England's set-pieces are their craft beer and the intelligent, sophisticated and professional approach they've taken is like how dreadful chain restaurants and bars are going out of business. The people who think forward and really care about what they're doing are the ones who survive.

Player ratings

Just saying...

Gareth Southgate's post-match interview

"We knew it was going to be a different game to the other night, the emotion of penalties, to lift us through a completely different test against Sweden - they don't let you play. iI's a very physical test. To come through it was crucial.

"We identified a few areas where we might break them down. Set plays again yes but that's because we got in good areas on the pitch. Over the years we've underestimated them. Our spirit was as good as theirs and our quality a little better,

"Pickford has been excellent, his distribution was superb.

"We've said to Dele he's at his best making the runs he made today. Really pleased for him, that's some drought he's had!

"I can't speak highly enough of the whole squad and the staff, you don't get through with just 11 players. Their mentality to train, Cahill, Jones Welbeck their approach to training is top top top.

"We've approached every game in that way, we don't know who we'll play again. Russia in Moscow would be an incredible to be involved in wouldn't it? I hope everyone enjoys tonight. "

"No idea if that means anything at all. All I know is that the managers that have got to semi-finals are people I really respect."

Kyle Walker already taking the ****

Fabian Delph says his wife is a machine

It's hard to put into words. It's been an amazing week for me, I'd like to thank Gareth - I have done - for me to be back with my wife for my child. I think the penalties put her into labour to be honest so I've Hendo to thank for that. To be going through to the next round is amazing.

In our circle, in our little bubble, we're not really sure what it's like but I had a few days there and it was scary. Everyone seems to be up for it.

She's (his wife) fantastic, we had a home birth, my wife's a machine. We've not got a name yet...

What about Samara?

"Well I did mention that! It's not something you want to miss, it's once in a lifetime. But so is tonight!"

Harry Kane and Harry Maguire

"So much preparation for this game, I thought we were fantastic, Sweden made it difficult. Long balls, set-pieces, crosses in the box...

"We know. We still know there's a big game ahead, we looked composed, like we controlled the game, we just have to go again. I'm sure the fans back home... we'll see some videos."

Maguire

"It can't come better than that, quarter final of the World Cup. We felt like we dominated the ball, bit sloppy towards the end of the second half it was a bit too open, we knew what would hurt them. We worked on that in training so credit to the staff."

Reaction around the country

Alan Shearer says

"I never felt nervous during the game!"

It's so weird. England are in the semi-final of the World Cup and haven't even really been tested yet! At the same time they've been genuinely impressive, look balanced, defend well, have energy... and belief!

It begins...

FULL TIME

90 mins+5 - Sweden 0 England 2

"You look at Sweden, 4-4-2... this is how we used to play!" says Martin Keown, just as Larsson throws Kane to the floor in frustration. Yellow card for Sunderland and a free-kick for England wide left of the Sweden box.

Kane shields the ball in the corner. Sweden launch it, Olsson overlaps and Rashford tracks him, forces him back and then Maguire beasts in to smash a header away.

Lingard has time and space to run with the ball and goes to the corner. This is it. The final few seconds.

90 mins+1 - Sweden 0 England 2

Over the bar! And in the midst of that, after the whistle and just as the taker normally steps up, Young sprinted from the wall to the near post then back again. I'm going to assume that's just to put a bit of doubt in Larsson so he sees that the near post is covered. So many devious mental tactics going on in this England team! Since when were footballers so smart?

90 mins - Sweden 0 England 2

England drop deep as Sweden come at them. Granqvist is furious as Maguire gives him a slight nudge on the edge of the area. Free-kick... in a very dangerous position. Seb Larsson has scored a lot of these in his career...

87 mins - Sweden 0 England 2

I'm pretty sure Lingard is solar powered. He hasn't stopped running since the first whistle and he's someone found the energy to run across the pitch to keep the ball, then speed onto the return from a one-two and wins a free-kick. This time Sweden deal with it and counter... but Maguire fouls at source to stop the break! It's sneaky defending but exactly what he needs to do.

85 mins - Sweden 0 England 2

This is the weirdest routine we've seen from England. The free-kick is all lined up and after a few seconds, Henderson comes over and tells his teammates to change things and points to some other places. It's misdirection (I think) and causes a bit of confusion but Trippier's delivery is poor and behind for a goal kick.

83 mins - Sweden 0 England 2

Young jumps in the air and throws his leg at a pass to divert it back to his goalkeeper. He might just be pretty good at defending after all. England are managing this game really well and yes, I am also surprised.

The passing is good, they're keeping Sweden on the back foot and now Trippier has won a free-kick wide right by being first to another 50/50.

77 mins - Sweden 0 England 2

Dele Alli is 'completely surprised' that he's being substituted, having moved to the opposite end of the pitch. The referee doesn't buy it, Alli does some acting and makes his way off. He is replaced by Delph, which seems like just about the most sensible change Southgate could make right now. Delph will help in the midfield to really shut this one down.

That wsaid, it's only a two goal lead. One back from Sweden and this could completely change.

75 mins - Sweden 0 England 2

Henderson is still keeping everything together in midfield. Delph is getting ready to come on now. Maguire goes straight through Claesson in a 50/50 and wins the ball, Claesson goes down but doesn't get a free-kick and play goes on.

England keep the ball in Sweden's half, move it back and Pickford comes 30 yards off his line to keep possession. He seems to realise all of a sudden that he's not really meant to be there and so punts the ball out for a goal kick.

73 mins - Sweden 0 England 2

72 mins - Sweden 0 England 2

Olsson is taking up really wide positions on the left wing and he's being given a lot of space. He can only use that if Sweden shift the ball to him quickly but England move over and close him down.

This is promising from Sweden now! They win the knockdown from a long ball from the keeper, there's space in behind and it's a three vs three! The cross comes into Guidetti, who controls, spins and SHOOTS! Tipped over the bar by Pickford! Another brilliant save!

70 mins - Sweden 0 England 2

This is great pressure from England. They're pressing high and winning the ball up the pitch, never letting Sweden escape. Alli takes a shot from distance which takes a deflection and earns another corner.

It's a great move, Berg's flick back is brilliant and the shot is on target and low! Pickford throws himself at it, Henderson covers and blocks at the near post... the ball is punted away! England had to cope with a scary couple of moments there!

61 mins - Sweden 0 England 2

England are all over this now! They have Sweden pinned back again and are getting so many players forward that Sweden are struggling to cope. With confidence, this team is genuinely quite good. The opening 20 minutes they were awful. Now it's great to watch.

59 mins - Sweden 0 England 1

Henderson goes down in the area... but nobody reacts and the referee doesn't bother with VAR. England have a throw, Young completely does Krafth on the left wing but his cross is blocked, Lingard's shot is blocked, Lingard can cross now...

55 mins - Sweden 0 England 1

Young knocks it to the back post, Maguire finds space and heads back across, Sterling tries an overhead kick, Maguire heads back across again and then Granqvist clears from just ahead of his goalkeeper. Sweden survive!

Or do they? Sterling has space to run into, sprints in behind the defence and crosses. Kane can't get there in time and the header sends the ball away and England win a throw.

53 mins - Sweden 0 England 1

51 mins - Sweden 0 England 1

Henderson switches play and finds Trippier high up the pitch. He heads it into the box but Sweden clear.

Walker has left his centre-back position twice already in this half and Sweden have worked it out. They very nearly have space to counter-attack and only a well timed challenge prevents it actually happening the second time.

49 mins - Sweden 0 England 1

Sweden are playing much faster now, really taking the game to England but Southgate's players are taking their time and keeping possession. Pickford launches a long ball and wins a throw-in in Sweden's half. England happy to keep the ball.

Jordan Henderson key

A few tactical things then. On the ball, Trippier and Young are stretching the pitch and giving options from wide areas, Kane is dropping deep to free up space for Sterling to run into and the defence are committed to building passes from the back. The unsung hero, again, is Jordan Henderson.

He is always in this position, there to link passes and cover the defence. You can see that's making that back three a diamond shape, allowing Stones a pass between the Sweden strikers so that England can bypass Sweden's high press. Sweden are pushing high up the pitch with their front three but so far England's best passers of the ball have been the defenders that Sweden are targeting.

Remember that guy at the wedding from earlier?

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Average positions

Weirdly, it's like Sterling is the nine, Kane and Lingard are the two 10s and Alli is dropping deep alongside Henderson to control the midfield. Well, that's the idea but Alli keeps passing to Sweden players and putting the ball out of play.

The high line Sweden are playing in an attempt to stop England playing from the back is giving Sterling the chance to run in behind. If he could just take those opportunities England would be 2-0 up. Still, Sterling has been England's best player along with Henderson.

45 mins - Sweden 0 England 1

AND HE'S IN AGAIN! Great control! His first touch is outstanding, the goalkeeper saves as he tries to go round him and then Sterling takes way too long to shoot! He doesn't pass, he shoots and the chance is gone.

43 mins - Sweden 0 England 1

Forsberg cuts onto his right foot and crosses into the box, Pickford gives a big shout to leave the ball and he then confidently takes it inside the area. Great goalkeeping. England rush their forward passes and Sweden win it back... but then they do the same and England have the ball and time to move it around.

41 mins - Sweden 0 England 1

Lingard is doing a lot of work off the ball, moving everywhere to offer a passing option and close down Sweden if at halfway. Dele Alli still seems a yard off the pace, never really in control o his body. Where he'd normally read an interception he's a half-second slow to react to it and Sweden get away with a loose pass in their own defensive third.

England have just played out from the back and the composure, choice of pass and movement is outstanding. They get the ball all the way to the box, Sterling crosses, Lingard backheels and Sweden survive.

39 mins - Sweden 0 England 1

37 mins - Sweden 0 England 1

Henderson tries an optimistic volley from 30 yards but punts it over. Replays of that goal do show that Maguire had his forearm in the back of the defender's neck... but for me it's not a foul. Nobody complained about it either, including the player Maguire beat to the ball.

26 mins - Sweden 0 England 0

Ekdal loses the ball near his own box! It's moved wide to Trippier but his cross takes a tiny deflection and gives the goalie the chance to save it low. Kane might have reached that otherwise.

Credit:
REUTERS

This is nice from England now but Alli has given the ball away - again - and given Sweden the chance to break. It's a long ball over the top and Berg is in behind! The linesman says offside but the replay says he isn't! If play had continued he could easily have scored there.

24 mins - Sweden 0 England 0

23 mins - Sweden 0 England 0

It's very static in the final third, England players are all just standing still and there's no movement. It's actually really poor from England - what are they doing here? Should they be that nervous 23 minutes in?

Martin Keown:

"It's like two boxers - nobody wants to start throwing punches but I think it's time to!"

21 mins - Sweden 0 England 0

Young catches out the right-back by actually using his left foot, going to the line and crossing into the box. It's a good one too! But nobody can get on the end of it. Sweden really take their time when they get the ball back, Kane's wasting a lot of energy chasing them around.

19 mins - Sweden 0 England 0

Sweden are growing into this one. Pickford tries to go short as Sweden press high again but his kick gives the ball straight back to them! This is the worst I've seen England play... since their last international tournament. Southgate doesn't look too impressed.

Young can't control the ball, Alli is all over the place, Kane can't get near the ball... OR CAN HE! Sterling bursts forward, England have men over and Sterling opens them up! Kane steps up to hit the loose ball and shoots to the bottom corner... just wide! Great attack.

Pickford goes nuts at his defenders who shouldn't really have let that shot be taken.

England attack but it's a little slow and Sweden can easily get back into their defensive positions. Stones switches play, Young tries to come onto his right foot but is stopped... and then Maguire fouls in the final third.

12 mins - Sweden 0 England 0

Sterling holds the ball in the box, moves it to Lingard who picks a great pass wide right but nobody hits the ball into the box. They take their time... and eventually Walker curls in a cross which the goalkeeper can catch.

6 mins - Sweden 0 England 0

Young seems really nervous. He's overhit, mis-controlled and lost possession a few times already. Sweden are sticking a man on Henderson too, which is a good idea.

England win a free-kick, Henderson takes it quickly to demonstrate the defender is too close... and the referee says play on. That's a bit confusing since it should be retaken... but the ball is switched to the opposite flank and Young can't control it.

4 mins - Sweden 0 England 0

Pickford goes long, Young's header goes awry and just for a second Sweden have three players breaking forward.

Sweden are pressing high up the pitch from goal kicks to prevent the build-up from the back.

Pickford's feeling brave and passes wide, Sweden close down and the ball is chipped forwards. England keep the ball well and have a chance to attack! But Sterling can't win his duel and the goalkeeper picks up the ball.

2 mins - Sweden 0 England 0

Sweden knock the ball long, England have possession and move up the pitch. Immediately the pattern has been set up. Every England player gets an early touch, Young loses control on the wing and Alli is beaten to the ball. England passing around, just getting used to the pitch.

KICK OFF

The starting lineups

Unchanged from Colombia for England, Sweden make two changes. Larsson back in for Svensson, and Krafth replaces the suspended Lustig.

It's 3-5-2 vs 4-4-2. Both like to counter-attack, Sweden will defend and concede possession, England will control the ball and MUST make sure they don't make any stupid passes across the middle of the pitch which will gift a counter-attack.

Sweden national anthem

Here come the players

Credit:
BBC

England players stood straight looking ahead. Nobody's dropping their head to stare at the ground (it's a sign of nerves)... but as I type that a few do start doing exactly that. Except Kane. Kane looks like he's a robot programmed to score GOALS!

Gareth Southgate is so calm and cool it's unbelievable

I think there'll be long periods of the game where we can control possession but its just breaking them down, watching for counter attacks and the long ball.

I'm enjoying this a lot more (than playing). We've had a fantastic experience but there's a lot we need to get better at. The players are well prepared, well recovered, know the opportunity they have and we're really looking forward to the challenge.

Over this period lots of leaders have emerged, some in the team some not. There's a lot said about how tight Sweden are but our group are very together and I think you can see that.

Who's going to win?

Jamie Carragher on England's set-pieces

The England set-up from set-pieces – which Glenn Hoddle has given the colourful description ‘The Love Train’ – has made it impossible for opposition defenders to man-mark. It is confusing opponents, which is why you can see so many show their frustration.

Colombia panicked and gave away the penalty in the last 16 game. The only way to combat it is to adopt a zonal system in the set-up, waiting for the set-piece to be delivered before picking up your man to mark when the England group breaks up. It is not ideal, and there is a possibility you will not be on the man you were listed to watch, but that is the only way to stop the panic.

Sweden's hotel evacuated in the early hours

Sven-Göran Eriksson interview

We all know in Sweden we don't have Zlatan anymore, no Messi, no Ronaldo but getting those Swedish players together then it's one of the best teams in the world. We are a smaller nation and every Swede is very proud today.

The feeling is that if you talk to normal Swedish people that they can beat England. And a lot are convinced that will happen.

Sweden management team looking relaxed

How the teams will play

How the teams will look

This is what the teams will look like at kick-off. Sweden will be a 4-4-2, they'll defend deep and look to frustrate then counter-attack. England's 3-5-2 will be very attacking from the start but Trippier and Young will drop back after about 20/30 minutes to shore up the the spaces out wide. I think. I could be totally wrong.

Where England will get scoring chances

Now, the thing with England is that they don't really create much from open play. I expect an opening 20 minute assault on the Sweden goal, heaps of movement, a high press and lots of shots and a few actual scoring chances. If Sweden hold on, it'll become very even and could actually probably go to penalties. They're strong defensively but England just don't create genuine chances when they have the ball.

Southgate's put so much preparation into these set pieces and they've really worked. The clever thing he's done in particular is assign players as blockers, and others as designated attackers. Blockers free the path for the guys who can really header a ball to get a free run at it. Has worked a few times so far...

England FA giving away the starting lineup

People are excited

Many of you will be watching the game at home, some will sneak a peek while at work (and rightly so), a lucky few thousand will be in the stadium... and the rest of England will likely watch it in the pub. And boy they're busy.

I was sent this in one of my Whatsapp groups at 12pm today - three hours before kick-off. It's a pub in Brixton, south London, and back then there was already a queue around the entire of the building. That's a pretty big pub too.

Credit:
William McGreggor

You can tweet me the absolute scenes at the venues you're watching it @jj_bull if you'd like.

Sam Wallace previews the game

It's coming...

Well this crept up on us, didn't it? Pre-tournament expectations were low, a forward-thinking, nice, polite, intelligent and talented manager found a tactical system that gets the best out of his not-exceptional group of players and the star striker came into the World Cup fit, refreshed and on form. What is going on? This can't be England!

But it is! And everywhere you look, be it the internet, your phone, the news - everywhere - people are enjoying themselves and seem happy. Walking around London the last few days feels a bit like being in a movie with the soundtrack 'Three Lions' playing on repeat in the background.

As a Scottish person living in England, I've been having a great time watching those around me actually look like they enjoy life and found myself actually willing England to do well. I even shouted at the TV the other day. The tube is more relaxed, the sun feels warmer, people hold open doors for you with a smile and wave you through. "You're welcome, sir. Football's coming home you know!" they say before a hop, skip and jump down the road.

England's success in this tournament has made being in London feel like you're in some hallucinatory football musical. And it would just be fantastic if it could go on a little longer.

Sweden are not going to make things easy today and are another of the sort of teams England usually lose to. The players aren't as good but they play as a team, the underdog tends to find an extra per cent of effort and a wee mistake here, a lapse of concentration there and it's trouble.

But this is a new England. England 2.0. Gareth Southgate's England. And even though there are people walking around the streets singing football's coming home all of the time, it doesn't feel like that old-school 'we are mental and you better watch yer mouth m8' type. It's just folk who are actually enjoying having a bit of pride in their team.

And so, kick off at 3pm, a tricky Sweden side to beat... what will happen if England lose? Will that good mood dissipate? Dissolve into rain, trickle down the street and into the gutter? Will the players come back defeated? Or will they leave a lasting legacy not unlike Euro 96 where most supporters sort of feel like they've already won anyway?

England should beat Sweden. They are a good team, have a few very talented players and a lot of belief without real pressure. This really could be their time. Can you even imagine what would happen if they win and reach the semi-final? It would just be... wait... what's that sound? That same piano chord repeated four times, jaunty, uplifting... a trumpet... "it's coming